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Post Info TOPIC: Husband refuses doctor's order to put his wife of 52 years in a nursing home and instead takes her on trips around the w
Lady Gaga Snerd


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Husband refuses doctor's order to put his wife of 52 years in a nursing home and instead takes her on trips around the w
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What true love looks like: Husband refuses doctor's order to put his wife of 52 years in a nursing home and instead takes her on trips around the world

  • A husband and wife in Connecticut married for more than 50 years have traveled to more than 20 countries and all seven continents 
  •  Donna Fierlit, who is in a wheelchair, suffered a brain aneurysm 27 years ago 
  • Doctors told her husband to put her in a nursing home but he refused, instead taking her on trips around the world 
  • The couple, who has four children, hopes to visit Scandinavia next  

By Minyvonne Burke For Dailymail.com

PUBLISHED: 00:32 EDT, 14 April 2018 | UPDATED: 03:39 EDT, 14 April 2018

 

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When Andy Fierlit told his wife that he would stick by her side in sickness and in health he meant it. 

Roughly 27 years ago Donna Fierlit suffered a brain aneurysm. She was 45 years old at the time and was left partially paralyzed. She has to use a wheelchair and suffers from short-term memory loss.

Doctors told Andy to put Donna in a nursing home. Andy told CNN in an interview Friday that he refused. 

Donna Fierlit suffered a brain aneurysm 27 years ago and doctors told her husband Andy to put her in a nursing home but he refused  
 
+8
 

Donna Fierlit suffered a brain aneurysm 27 years ago and doctors told her husband Andy to put her in a nursing home but he refused  

Instead the couple decided to travel the world visiting more than 20 countries and all seven continents 
 
+8
 

Instead the couple decided to travel the world visiting more than 20 countries and all seven continents 

'I said no way, that's not gonna happen. I made a promise to her that we would go on to work out as best a life as possible,' Andy said 
 
+8
 

'I said no way, that's not gonna happen. I made a promise to her that we would go on to work out as best a life as possible,' Andy said 

The next place the couple hope to visit is Scandinavia. They hope with some generosity they will be able to make the trip happen  
 
+8
 

The next place the couple hope to visit is Scandinavia. They hope with some generosity they will be able to make the trip happen  

'I said no way, that's not gonna happen. I made a promise to her that we would go on to work out as best a life as possible,' he said. 

Andy and Donna met 58 years ago as teenagers at a church dance. Andy said when he saw Donna he approached her and asked for a stick of gum. She told him to 'get lost' but something sparked between them. 

Not long after they began dating, the couple tied the knot. That was in 1966. The Connecticut lovebirds now share four children together, 12 grandchildren and dozens and dozens of memories.    

'Love is something you have to work at,' Andy told CNN. 

 'It has to be part of you.' Donna added.

'You don't spray it on you like a cologne and all of a sudden you're in love.' Andy continued.              

Determined to make the best of their situation after Donna's aneurysm, the couple started traveling. Their first trip was a cruise to Bermuda.

In the nearly three decades since the couple has traveled to more than 20 countries and all seven continents.

 'Africa, Australia, Asia, North America, South America, Antarctica,' Andy said, rattling off some of the places they've been too.   

Traveling with someone in a wheelchair can be tricky, Andy said, but they always manage to make it work.   

Andy and Donna met 58 years ago at a church dance. He said when he first approached Donna told him to 'get lost' 
 
+8
 

Andy and Donna met 58 years ago at a church dance. He said when he first approached Donna told him to 'get lost' 

The couple, who married in 1966, have four children and 12 grandchildren 
 
+8
 

The couple, who married in 1966, have four children and 12 grandchildren 

Andy and Donna are pictured during one of their vacations. They plan to keep traveling across the world 
 
+8
 

Andy and Donna are pictured during one of their vacations. They plan to keep traveling across the world 

Donna and Andy, pictured on another vacation, nicknamed her wheelchair 'Proud Mary' because she said it 'keeps on rolling' 
 
+8
 

Donna and Andy, pictured on another vacation, nicknamed her wheelchair 'Proud Mary' because she said it 'keeps on rolling' 

During a trip to Europe, he said Donna had to ride in the cargo section of a train because it couldn't accommodate her wheelchair. Regardless, they had a good time. 

They even have a hilarious nickname for Donna's wheelchair: 'Proud Mary'. 

'She keeps on rolling,' Donna told the outlet. 

Up until now, Donna and Andy have been paying for their trips with their personal savings but it's starting to run low. 

Andy said he's hopeful that with a bit of generosity they can continue their world travels. The next place they want to visit is Scandinavia. 

'One step at a time,' he said. 'That was the goal: to live on, enjoy life.'  



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5614927/Husband-refuses-wife-52-years-nursing-home-instead-taking-trips-world.html#ixzz5CeIQaVT8 
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Lady Gaga Snerd


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First of all, a doctor will RECOMMEND a nursing home or write an order so that it is possible but that isn't forcing someone to do that. So, the title is a bit dramatic.

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Lady Gaga Snerd


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That's great that they are having a good time. But, hopefully he isn't squandering all the money he may need for their medical needs.

"Up until now, Donna and Andy have been paying for their trips with their personal savings but it's starting to run low.

Andy said he's hopeful that with a bit of generosity they can continue their world travels. The next place they want to visit is Scandinavia."



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Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

That's great that they are having a good time. But, hopefully he isn't squandering all the money he may need for their medical needs.

"Up until now, Donna and Andy have been paying for their trips with their personal savings but it's starting to run low.

Andy said he's hopeful that with a bit of generosity they can continue their world travels. The next place they want to visit is Scandinavia."

 Yeah they want others to pay for their trips.  Nice if they have generous family and  friends, but what will they do when the money is all gone?



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Forever Sunshine


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I'm wondering why this is even newsworthy? It's not like it was court ordered to place her in a nursing home. Doctors made a suggestion and it is the patient's right to act on that or not. Millions of people make decisions like this all the time. So, why is this even in the news cycle.

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Lady Gaga Snerd


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Beats me!! I thought it was an odd too!

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FNW


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It's a story because they want money.

Personally, I would want to do the same thing, travel. And it's probably cheaper than a nursing home, although long term healthcare would not cover travel where they would cover the home.

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FNW wrote:

It's a story because they want money.

Personally, I would want to do the same thing, travel. And it's probably cheaper than a nursing home, although long term healthcare would not cover travel where they would cover the home.

 This is a good point. If she were in a nursing home all their savings would be gone paying for it until Medicaid  kicks in. And at least she gets a great quality of life.



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Lady Gaga Snerd


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So, they should spend spend spend and then let the govt pick up their medical tab?

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Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

Beats me!! I thought it was an odd too!

 Well that is your criteria for any article you post. 



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Lady Gaga Snerd


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Those are the articles that catch my eye sometimes! lol

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Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

So, they should spend spend spend and then let the govt pick up their medical tab?

Given the cost of nursing homes and the fact that she has been like this for 27 years, there savings and assets would have been exhausted a lot sooner than spending it on traveling and the gov't would still be picking up the tab.  



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Lady Gaga Snerd


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I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

So, they should spend spend spend and then let the govt pick up their medical tab?

Given the cost of nursing homes and the fact that she has been like this for 27 years, there savings and assets would have been exhausted a lot sooner than spending it on traveling and the gov't would still be picking up the tab.  

 That isn't the point.  We used to expect "responsible" people to be responsible.  As in, I am not going to squander my resources because I know my wife may need future medical care. 



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FNW wrote:

It's a story because they want money.

Personally, I would want to do the same thing, travel. And it's probably cheaper than a nursing home, although long term healthcare would not cover travel where they would cover the home.

 I too agree that this was put in the news to Rely on peoples sympathy so they will donate money for their travel. 



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FNW wrote:

It's a story because they want money.

Personally, I would want to do the same thing, travel. And it's probably cheaper than a nursing home, although long term healthcare would not cover travel where they would cover the home.

Yep, I realize it's a story because they're playing on people's sympathies and are looking for donations but this is going on for 27 years! LOL 

Actually, if I had the resources to travel under the same circumstances, I would do the same thing. $4k a month for a somewhat decent nursing facility? Yep, whatever savings they had would disappear pretty quickly and the gov't would be paying for it much longer than if and when she'd be admitted to one finally. 



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Forever Sunshine wrote:
FNW wrote:

It's a story because they want money.

Personally, I would want to do the same thing, travel. And it's probably cheaper than a nursing home, although long term healthcare would not cover travel where they would cover the home.

Yep, I realize it's a story because they're playing on people's sympathies and are looking for donations but this is going on for 27 years! LOL 

Actually, if I had the resources to travel under the same circumstances, I would do the same thing. $4k a month for a somewhat decent nursing facility? Yep, whatever savings they had would disappear pretty quickly and the gov't would be paying for it much longer than if and when she'd be admitted to one finally. 

 $4k??????????????  When was the last time you checked?  They upwards of 15-18K in my area now.



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I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
Forever Sunshine wrote:
FNW wrote:

It's a story because they want money.

Personally, I would want to do the same thing, travel. And it's probably cheaper than a nursing home, although long term healthcare would not cover travel where they would cover the home.

Yep, I realize it's a story because they're playing on people's sympathies and are looking for donations but this is going on for 27 years! LOL 

Actually, if I had the resources to travel under the same circumstances, I would do the same thing. $4k a month for a somewhat decent nursing facility? Yep, whatever savings they had would disappear pretty quickly and the gov't would be paying for it much longer than if and when she'd be admitted to one finally. 

 $4k??????????????  When was the last time you checked?  They upwards of 15-18K in my area now.

 It depends where you are. $4,000/month will get you a private room at a decent facilty in this area.  If you need assisted living or memory care, the price goes up. 



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Divine Geek wrote:
I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
Forever Sunshine wrote:
FNW wrote:

It's a story because they want money.

Personally, I would want to do the same thing, travel. And it's probably cheaper than a nursing home, although long term healthcare would not cover travel where they would cover the home.

Yep, I realize it's a story because they're playing on people's sympathies and are looking for donations but this is going on for 27 years! LOL 

Actually, if I had the resources to travel under the same circumstances, I would do the same thing. $4k a month for a somewhat decent nursing facility? Yep, whatever savings they had would disappear pretty quickly and the gov't would be paying for it much longer than if and when she'd be admitted to one finally. 

 $4k??????????????  When was the last time you checked?  They upwards of 15-18K in my area now.

 It depends where you are. $4,000/month will get you a private room at a decent facilty in this area.  If you need assisted living or memory care, the price goes up. 

 WOW.  Guess I won't be retiring in my area or living out my days here.  Crazy prices here.



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Southern_Belle


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Husband refuses doctor's order to put his wife of 52 years in a nursing home and instead takes her on trips around the w
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When we took our cruise we learned some people just go from cruise to cruise. The ships are their home. It can be cheaper than rent or a mortgage plus all the costs like utilities and groceries.

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Frozen Sucks!

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Southern_Belle wrote:

When we took our cruise we learned some people just go from cruise to cruise. The ships are their home. It can be cheaper than rent or a mortgage plus all the costs like utilities and groceries.

 I've heard this a lot!



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There are people who really endorse
"cruising as a living". They have all
their meals provided, entertainment,
easy access to medical care if needed,
daily maid service, and the rest of the
crew pampers them outrageously!
They get to see many different cities all
over the world, and can get their mail
delivered as often as they want. You
don't need an extensive wardrobe,
because you see new people every
week or so.

If I were on my own, and had the
wherewithal, I'd really like to do this!



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Lady Gaga Snerd


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I personally have never wanted to go on a cruise. I don't know, just doesnt' appeal to me.

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Momala wrote:



There are people who really endorse
"cruising as a living". They have all
their meals provided, entertainment,
easy access to medical care if needed,
daily maid service, and the rest of the
crew pampers them outrageously!
They get to see many different cities all
over the world, and can get their mail
delivered as often as they want. You
don't need an extensive wardrobe,
because you see new people every
week or so.

If I were on my own, and had the
wherewithal, I'd really like to do this!

 Perfect way to spend my kid's inheritance. 



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Vette


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Who cares if it's a pointless story? At least it's something nice for once

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I was never a cruiser either until I went on one. It's nice to see different ports without having to unpack. The food is very good and there is enough entertainment to keep me amused while on sea. Although the port cities are often tourist traps that just want your money. I tend to book my excursions on my own rather than relying on the ones the cruise set up. They aren't as touristy, IMO.

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I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
Forever Sunshine wrote:
FNW wrote:

It's a story because they want money.

Personally, I would want to do the same thing, travel. And it's probably cheaper than a nursing home, although long term healthcare would not cover travel where they would cover the home.

Yep, I realize it's a story because they're playing on people's sympathies and are looking for donations but this is going on for 27 years! LOL 

Actually, if I had the resources to travel under the same circumstances, I would do the same thing. $4k a month for a somewhat decent nursing facility? Yep, whatever savings they had would disappear pretty quickly and the gov't would be paying for it much longer than if and when she'd be admitted to one finally. 

 $4k??????????????  When was the last time you checked?  They upwards of 15-18K in my area now.

Yea, it's been almost ten years since I had any dealings with one. 



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